Mayor, village board members won't seek re-election in Thomasboro

A longtime village official in Thomasboro has decided not to seek re-election.

Mayor Tony Grilo did not file nominating petitions to have his name placed on the April 9 ballot.

Grilo was first elected mayor in 1997, and before that served two terms on the village board.

There will also be several new faces on the village board, as no incumbents are seeking re-election.

Grilo said it was time for someone else to do the job.

"It just felt like I accomplished what I wanted," Grilo said. "I wanted to get the sewer done."

Grilo recalled that early in his tenure, the Champaign County community was in sore need of a sewer system to replace the septic system that left some yards with effluent in them.

"We had a number of people who had saturated yards," Grilo said. "We had illegal hookups. I knew it was just a matter of time before the state said we had to (move to a sewer system)."

The $2 million system was installed and went online in the early 2000s, Grilo estimated, and involves Thomasboro pumping its effluent north to Rantoul, where it goes through the village treatment system.

Thomasboro is charged the same rate that residents of Rantoul are.

Grilo is glad the village accomplished the major infrastructure project, whose bonds will be paid off in about 12 years.

"I think Thomasboro is a lot better place for it," he said.

After being elected mayor twice, Grilo was defeated by Curt Simmons in Grilo's third mayoral bid. But Simmons resigned, and Harold Hough agreed to assume the village's top job, Grilo said.

Hough did not seek election to the mayor's job four years ago, and Grilo ran again and was elected.

Grilo, however, said his time is up and it's time for someone else to helm the board.

That person appears to be Brad Morris, who is the lone candidate for the mayor's job.

"It looks like we'll get a new mix, new faces on the board," Grilo said. "I'm looking forward to see what kinds of things they can accomplish in their tenure."

Grilo, 51, a maintenance planner at Advance Filtration Systems, Champaign, said the village board "worked tirelessly" to have the state permit revoked for the trailer park that used to sit next to the Interstate 57 overpass.

Grilo noted the board also spent a great deal of time on the removal of a dilapidated former motel located along U.S. 45.

"When we finally achieved that, it made way for the fire department to purchase the land and build one of the nicest fire stations around," Grilo said.

Grilo lauded the trustees he has served with as well as village attorney Holt Summers, Street Department employee Jay Arnold and the village police department.

"I had a great run," Grilo said. "Thanks to everyone."

The mayor's seat won't be the only one with a new occupant following the April vote. None of the incumbents is running again.

Thomasboro will also have a new clerk, effective Jan. 1. Jeremy Reale, who grew up in Thomasboro, was approved by the board to succeed Becky Quinlan, who resigned.

None of the incumbents — Bill Kurth, Dean Stombaugh and Burke Stanion — filed for re-election for the three four-year terms on the board. Filing were newcomers Jeff Robertson and Wally Tater.